What is the size of the Inbox.dbx file in the message store? The Inbox is
probably corrupt. If you have compacted recently, look for an Inbox.bak file
in the Recycle Bin and the message store. If you find one, note the date
that it was created and then post back before you do anything more. If you
do not have a bak file, continue with the following instructions.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Write the location down and navigate to it in
Windows Explorer or, copy and paste it into Start | Run.

In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options
Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.

With OE closed, find the Inbox.dbx. Rename it to Inboxold.dbx and drag it to
the Desktop. A new Inbox will be created automatically when you open OE.

Now you will need a tool to retrieve the messages. If you have compacted
since the messages went missing, only DBXpress run in Extract From Disk mode
has a chance to recover the messages.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

To help prevent this in the futu

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as
time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will
continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Mike Hoban" wrote in message
...
Hello, I hope soemone can help with this....

I am using OE6. I have lost the ability to use the inbox. It will not show
any currently stored messages, it will not receive any new messages, I
just
get an nunknown error message from my server. I can still send messages
and
operate and access all other function of OE6, I just cant receive mails
into
this particular inbox. I have looked for a free of charge fix or fresh
installation, but cant find anything, even on MS site.

Any ideas?.

Thanks
M